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  F6F-3 "Betsy-II" Bureau Number 25839  
USN
VF-38

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USN September 1943

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Dive Gizo
1998

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Ian Williams
1999

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Justin Taylan 2003

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James Fincham 2004
Pilot  Lt(jg) Richard "Dick" W. Moore (survived) La Grande, OR
Ditched  September 16, 1943 at 3:30pm

Pilot History
Previously, pilot Richard W. Moore served aboard a carrier off Attu. Afterwards, assigned to VF-38 in the South Pacific. On January 29, 1943 he was shot down piloting "Betsy" over the Munda area.  During 1945, he was shot down off Japan and rescued by a USN destroyer. He passed away in 1978, but his wingman received news of the discovery of his Hellcat.

Aircraft History
Built by Grumman in Bethpage, New York. Constructors Number A553. On June 26, 1943 delivered to the U.S. Navy (USN) as F6F-3 Hellcat bureau number 25839. Disassembled and shipped to Oahu as cargo. On July 10, 1943 departs Honolulu then shipped across the Pacific to Nouméa on July 14, 1943.

Wartime History
On September 13, 1943 assigned to Fighting Squadron 38 (VF-38) at Fighter One on Guadalcanal to pilot Lt(jg) Richard W. Moore. who nicknamed the plane "Betsy-II" after his wife with the motif of the squadron to the right of the name. His previous aircraft, "Betsy" was lost on January 29, 1943 over Munda.

Mission History
On September 16, 1943 took off from Munda Airfield at 1:15pm piloted by Lt(jg) Richard W. Moore on an escort mission to provide low cover for TBF Avengers bombing Ballale Island. The weather was partly cloudy.

The formation included twenty-four TBF Avengers and thirty-one SBD Dauntless on a mission to bomb Ballale Island. A multi-service fighter escort of 71 fighters included thirteen F6F Hellcats from VF-38 plus eleven F6F Hellcats from VF-40. This was the first combat mission for the Hellcat in the South Pacific theater. Also escorting were U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) P-38 Lightings, Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) P-40 Kittyhawks and twenty-three U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) F4U Corsairs from Marine Fighting Squadron 214 (VMF-214) "Black Sheep" including Major Gregory "Pappy" Boyington took off from Banika Field at 1:00pm and rendezvous with the formation over New Georgia. In total, more than 100 aircraft proceeded to the target.

Over the target, the formation was intercepted by 40-50 A6M Zeros and Ki-61 Tonys [sic, none intercepted] plus anti-aircraft fire over the target area. A large, sprawling dog fight ensued. VF-38 claimed three Zeros shot down plus a probable.

The last division led by F6F Hellcat 25940 piloted by Lt(jg) Presley was providing low cover for the TBF Avengers. Lt(jg) Moore was the second section leader with wingman Lt(jg) Beaumont. As the TBFs were beginning their attack, Moore saw an F4U about a half mile away 50' above him.

VF-38 Combat Report, page 2 states:
"At first Moore thought it a 0 [A6M Zero], then recognized it as an F4U, as did his wingman. The Corsair was flying alone. Moore turned into him as the F4U came in at him straight above. The Corsair started firing at about 100 yards range, and Moore pulled up a bit and fired a burst in retaliation, as did his wingman. A .50 caliber bullet hit Moore's engine high on the port side. It started to throw oil and began smoking, although not heavily. Moore and Beaumont left the other section and set out for Munda, diving to about 500 ft."

The pair flew southward and reached the Blackett Strait about a mile south of Kolombangara before Moore's engine cut out. He had no trouble making a water landing, flaps down in full stall at approximately 3:30pm. Officially, this aircraft was stricken from the record October 6, 1943.

Fate of the Pilot
Moore landed unhurt, exited the cockpit and stood on a wing, then dropped into the water and inflated his life jacket. He was about 100' from a reef in shallow water. As soon as he got into his raft he saw two native canoes putting out from a small island towards him.

The first canoe carried about 15 locals and the second canoe carried about six locals and U.S. Army Pvt Nash who took him to Coastwatcher Lt. Evans on an island south of Kolombangara. Moore was given dry cloths, a cup of tea and fresh limeade. Afterwards, he was transported by canoe eastward to to Arundel arriving around 7:30pm and joined U.S. Army soldiers then remained overnight. On September 17, 1943 at 8:00am he departed for Munda and returned to his squadron.

Wreckage
This Hellcat settled on a coral reef off Quomu Island at a depth of 10m / 30'. In 1986, discovered by Danny Kennedy / Dive Gizo in 10m off Quomu Island. The aircraft was in remarkably intact condition with the navigation charts in the cockpit. Since then, this aircraft is often snorkeled and SCUBA dived by tourists visiting the Gizo area and often photographed.

The Hellcat is fully intact with only the fabric control surfaces missing. The right wing is covered with coral and the left wing is angled slightly upward. The flaps are fully extended and cockpit canopy is pulled back in the open position. The engine cowling and propeller are missing. The fuselage has two bullet holes caused by the .50 caliber bullets fired by the F4U: one in front of the tail and one behind the cockpit.

The only damage to the aircraft was caused by divers after the discovery that removed the ammunition covers and belted .50 caliber ammunition from both wings. The gun site was removed from the cockpit.

Michael McFadyen dove the wreck October 18, 2001:
"When I dived it, we were asked to replace some 0.50 inch rounds stolen from the plane a week earlier by a group of Sydney divers. The plane has two obvious bullet holes, one in the front of the tail and one behind the cockpit. There does not appear to be any hole in the oil tank so it would appear an oil line was hit."

References
Navy Serial Number Search Results - F6F-3 Hellcat 25839
USN Overseas Aircraft Loss List September 1943 - F6F Hellcat 25839 pilot Anderson [sic Moore]
USN Overseas Aircraft Loss List September 1943 - F6F Hellcat [no bureau number listed 25839] pilot Lt(jg) Moore
VF-38 Combat Report, September 16, 1943
The Black Sheep (2000) pages 210-209
Black Sheep One (2000) mentions this loss
Michael McFadyen's Scuba Diving - Grumman F6F-3 Hellcat via Wayback Machine December 10, 2005
Michael McFadyen's Scuba Diving - Grumman F6F-3 Hellcat
Who damaged F6F-3 Hellcat "Betsy II" 25839 research notes
Thanks to Danny Kennedy / Dive Gizo for additional information

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Last Updated
October 4, 2022

Tech Info
F6F

SCUBA
9-10m

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